Souhan: Super Bowl Boulevard just another NYC attraction

Gallery: Fans gather on the Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Denver Broncos on Sunday in NFL football's Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J.

Matt Slocum – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: NFL comissioner Roger Goodell is reflected on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as he speaks at a news conference Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Charlie Riedel – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: The Roman numerals for Super Bowl XLVIII are unveiled on Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in New York. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J.

Matt York – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: George Sichler, from the Brooklyn borough of New York., dives into a pile of foam for a photograph along Super Bowl Blvd in Manhattan, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ.

Ted S. Warren – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Miles, the Denver Broncos mascot, walks through Times Square, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 in New York. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Broncos Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, N.J.

Ted S. Warren – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Denver Broncos cheerleaders cheer Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 during a live broadcast of Good Morning America at Times Square in New York. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Broncos Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, N.J.

Ted S. Warren – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Blitz, the Seattle Seahawks mascot, walks through Times Square, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 in New York. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Broncos Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, N.J.

Ted S. Warren – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Seattle Seahawks Sea Gals cheerleaders cheer Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 during a live broadcast of Good Morning America at Times Square in New York. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Broncos Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, N.J.

Ted S. Warren – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Blitz, right, the Seattle Seahawks mascot, is sits with Miles, left, the Denver Broncos mascot, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014 on top of a Super Bowl sign during a live broadcast of Good Morning America at Times Square in New York. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Broncos Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game in East Rutherford, N.J.

John Lok – MCT - MCT

Gallery: Members of the cast of "Rock of Ages" perform on a stage along Super Bowl Boulevard in New York City on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014.

Gregory Payan – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Images fo

Gallery: IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NFL - In this image released on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, Univision personality Carlos Calderon dances with a cheerleader before the Tazon Latino NFL Super Bowl event at the Chelsea Waterside Park in NYC. Univision will telecast the event on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 4:55pm EST.

Gregory Payan – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Images fo

Gallery: IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR NFL - In this image released on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, Univision weather forecaster Jackie Guerrido is seen with teammates participating in the 'Touchdown Celebration' event at the Tazon Latino NFL Super Bowl event at the Chelsea Waterside Park in NYC. Univision will telecast the event on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 4:55pm EST.

Tom Wallace – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: This Jan. 30, 2014 photo shows dancers performing before the start of a concert next to the Bud Light Hotel in New York. The temporarily renamed hotel moored on the Hudson River is Norwegian Cruise Line's new ship Norwegian Getaway, and is acting as a floating hotel for fans and a site for hosting Super Bowl-related events. Bud Light Hotel is also taking over the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, including the deck of the retired military ship, which is permanently docked in the pier adjacent to Pier 88, the dock for Getaway. Concerts and other events will be held onboard for guests connected to Bud Light's retailers, partners and VIPs.

Jonathan Fickies – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP Images fo

Gallery: IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR MACY'S INC. - The Super Bowl Virtual Theater debuts on the Broadway facade of Macy's Herald Square, entertaining crowds along Super Bowl Boulevard on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014 in New York City. The ten-minute show continues nightly through Saturday, as part of Super Bowl Boulevard festivities.

Tom Wallace – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: This Jan. 30, 2014 photo shows the cruise ship Norwegian Getaway in the icy Hudson River in New York. The cruise ship is serving as a hotel, renamed the Bud Light Hotel, for hosting Super Bowl-related events, before returning to its homeport in Miami.

MICHAEL NAGLE – NYT - NYT

Gallery: Bottles of Bud Light are prominently displayed on the Bud Light Hotel, a rebranded Norwegian Cruise Line boat, in New York, Jan. 30, 2014. The vessel is docked next to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum as a floating shrine to the beer brand for the Super Bowl.

Paul Sancya – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: People ride the Super Bowl Toboggan Run along Super Bowl Boulevard in New York on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. The Seattle Seahawks play the Denver Broncos on Sunday at the stadium in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game.

Paul Sancya – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: People ride the Super Bowl Toboggan Run along on Super Bowl Boulevard in New York on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. The Seattle Seahawks play the Denver Broncos on Sunday at the stadium in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game.

Matt York – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Fans ride the Super Bowl Toboggan Run along Super Bowl Blvd, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ.

Julio Cortez – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: People make their way down the toboggan slide during Super Bowl Boulevard festivities Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, in New York. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, in East Rutherford, N.J.

Matt York – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Fans riding the Super Bowl Toboggan Run backdrop faux icicles hanging from a goal post along Super Bowl Blvd, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ.

Paul Sancya – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: A billboard is displayed along Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square in New York on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. The Seattle Seahawks play the Denver Broncos on Sunday at the stadium in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game.

Chris O'Meara – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: A man dressed as the Statue of Liberty poses for photos with football fans along Super Bowl Boulevard. Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Paul Sancya – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Ron Hebron, of Portland, Ore., wears his beard with Seattle Seahawks colors on Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square in New York on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. The Seahawks play the Denver Broncos on Sunday at the stadium in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game.

Chris O'Meara – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: A man dressed as the Statue of Liberty poses for photos with football fans along Super Bowl Boulevard. Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Paul Sancya – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Allison Losardo, of Chatham, N.J. poses for a photograph in Denver Brncos outfit at Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square in New York on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. The Seattle Seahawks play the Broncos on Sunday at the stadium in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game.

Mark Lennihan – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Former Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow signs autographs for fans on Super Bowl Boulevard, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York's Times Square. The Seattle Seahawks are scheduled to play the Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game on Sunday, Feb. 2, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Evan Vucci – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Denver Broncos fan Pedro Barrios of Mexico City poses with "Alex the Naked Cowgirl" on the Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square on Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Seattle Seahawks will play the Denver Broncos on Sunday in NFL football's Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, N.J.

Matt York – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Tess DiMalanta, from the Philippines, poses for a photo in a Seattle Seahawks cut out along Super Bowl Boulevard Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos and Seahawks will face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ.

Matt York – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: A Super Bowl banner hangs from the Super Bowl Toboggan Run along Super Bowl Boulevard, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ.

Matt York – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Fans gather along Super Bowl Boulevard, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ.

Monique Toro – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: This Oct. 2013 photo provided by Crown Media shows Crazy Legs playing in the "Kitten Bowl." The "Kitten Bowl" games air on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, 12 p.m. ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel.

Matt York – ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP

Gallery: Ernest Halloway, of Newark, NJ, poses for a photo along Super Bowl Boulevard, Friday, Jan. 31, 2014, in New York. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks will face off Sunday in Super Bowl XLVIII in East Rutherford, NJ.

NEW YORK – For one week, Broadway became the boulevard of broken knees.

For one week, the NFL tried to dominate Times Square, from the TKTS booth to the NYPD station, and was rewarded with massive crowds, after renaming a patch of Broadway “Super Bowl Boulevard.”

A line formed at the miniaturized football field where you could try to kick an extra point. A guy in a Broncos Tim Tebow jersey booted one through on Friday, then Tebowed. The next guy up screamed “Omaha,” mimicking Peyton Manning, before shanking one into the net.

Of course, there are massive crowds in Times Square when the biggest attraction is the Naked Cowboy or the Olive Garden, so the NFL didn’t take Manhattan so much as it was engulfed by an unaware city.

In most locales, like in Minneapolis in 1992, the Super Bowl descends like a swarm of logoed locusts. In New Orleans, the Super Bowl is the life of a raging party. In New York, the Big Game stands on the corner and screams for attention like a comedy club barker.

This week, the Super Bowl was treated like an off-Broadway show — so far off Broadway that the actual play will occur in New Jersey.

Evan Vucci &#x2022; Associated Press

Fans gathered Friday on the Super Bowl Boulevard in Times Square, but chilly weather made the NFL’s centerpiece attraction less of a destination.

“One unique aspect about the focus for this year’s Super Bowl has been on the weather,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday. “I told you we were going to embrace the weather. Of course, we don’t control the weather.”

With that, a flurry of fake snow began falling behind Goodell on the Lincoln Center stage. A few minutes later, real flakes began falling outside.

This week has proved that the Super Bowl and New York City are like pizza and ice cream, tasty in almost any iteration unless shoved into the same blender.

For those who buy tickets, the Super Bowl should be a vacation, not a forced march over freezing streets or a forced commute through crowded tunnels. New Orleans and Pasadena know how to host Super Bowls, and while Miami doesn’t necessarily know what it’s doing, the temperature usually cooperates.

It’s easier to get a ticket to the Super Bowl this week than to “The Book of Mormon,” and the Eugene O’Neill Theater doesn’t ask you to stand outside for seven hours to see the show.

In New York, the Super Bowl is one more traffic jam, and the inciter of one more internecine feud with New Jersey.

When Seahawks and onetime Jets coach Pete Carroll reminisced about his days “in New York” on Sunday, Rich Boggiano of Jersey City’s City Council interjected: “You said you’re glad to be back in New York, but I just want to remind you: You’re in New Jersey!”

Longtime New York Daily News columnist Mike Lupica wrote a piece arguing that this is the New York Super Bowl even though the game will be played and the teams were housed and practiced all week in New Jersey.

Lupica wrote: “To say that Jersey and the city are ‘sharing’ this week is like suggesting that San Francisco will be ‘sharing’ Super Bowl L with Santa Clara in 2016 because the 49ers have moved there from Candlestick Park.”

He seems to be arguing that New York’s lights acted as the siren that caused the NFL to crash upon Jersey’s rocks.

Which is, in the manner of the locals, rude and true. If Jersey didn’t border New York, it wouldn’t be hosting a Super Bowl. If Jersey didn’t have an NFL stadium, New Yorkers wouldn’t have had to wait, impatiently, for the NYPD to escort buses of journalists through rush-hour traffic.

If you walked into Rosie O’Grady’s tavern this week — it’s tricky, finding an Irish bar in New York — you might find a few Seahawks or Broncos jerseys, but not many. Unlike in most cities, there were not bands of fans marching about, hollering about the game.

For one thing, it was cold. Low temperatures didn’t keep people from walking around Manhattan, but they walked quickly, bundled and single-minded. Minneapolis believes it will benefit from hosting a Super Bowl, but the result would be visitors questioning why anyone would ever live there. For Minnesota, the Super Bowl would be a tourist detraction.

New York’s charm is that it offers too much: Too many plays, too many restaurants, too many museums. You can’t take it all in. Adding the Super Bowl is like adding jalapeños to curry.

To summarize: The NFL held Super Bowl week in a cold city where it was greeted indifferently, while the state that will host the game stared daggers across the Hudson River.

Dear Mr. Goodell: Let’s all not do this again real soon.

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The NFL made sure the Super Bowl activities didn’t get lost in New York’s smorgasbord of attractions.

Jim Souhan can be found on Twitter at @Souhanstrib. His podcasts can be heard at MalePatternPodcasts.com.